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Home > Galena Trip Guide

Galena Trip Guide

On the Galena River, this bustling historic town features century-old buildings housing shops and restaurants; some 50 inns and hotels welcome travelers for vacation getaways.
Main Street.
Chairlift up Chestnut Mountain.
Otto's Place.
Fritz and Frites.
View from Chestnut Mountain Resort's deck.
Eagle Ridge Resort. Photo by Karen Sorensen.

What to do

A Bushel and a Peck After you’ve speant a day shopping in downtown Galena, zip out to nearby Schapville and explore this food and antiques store in a former blacksmith shop. See reviews and ratings. [1] (888) 635-4616

AJ’s Copper Garden A display of copper flowers and dragonflies awaits shoppers at this unusual art gallery. (815) 777-4000;  ajscoppergarden.com [2]

Beyond the Horizon Find Celtic jewelry and Kenyan soapstone artwork. See reviews and ratings. [3] (815) 777-0190; shopbeyondthehorizon.com [4]

Casper Bluffs See burial mounds and an 1,000-year-old effigy on a self-guided tour. See reviews and ratings. [5] (815) 858-9100; jdcf.org [6]

Earth’s Treasures Handmade jewelry, artistic clothing, and rocks and minerals line the walls. (815) 777-9005

Fever River Outfitters Tour Galena on water or on wheels with kayak, bike and motor scooter rentals. (815) 776-9425; feverriveroutfitters.com [7]

The Galena and U.S. Grant Museum Visitors learn about Galena’s history and President Grant’s years here. Admission charged. (815) 777-9129;  galenahistorymuseum.org [8]

Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery Visit the vineyard for tastings and tours, then catch the shuttle back to town. See reviews and ratings. [9] (800) 397-9463;  galenacellars.com [10]

Galena Garlic Company Savory scents draw customers into this olive oil shop. See reviews and ratings. [11] (815) 777-9625; galenagarlic.com [12]

Galena River Wine and Cheese Find a wide array of wines, cheeses, foods and beers. (815) 777-9430; galenawinecheese.com [13]

Galena Trolley Depot Tours highlight Galena’s historic sites and homes. See reviews and ratings. [14] (815) 777-1248; galenatrolleys.com [15]

Jamie’s Wine Studio of Galena Jamie hand selects every bottle and creates customizable gifts. (815) 777-0207; jamieswinestudio.com [16]

Massbach Ridge Winery and Tasting Room Try five wines for $3 at the winery’s two locations. Ask for a tour. (815) 291-6700; massbachridge.com [17]

Mississippi Explorer River Cruises Tour guides detail the history of the river, its wildlife and geology. Admission charged. See reviews and ratings. [18] (815) 777-1320; chestnutmtn.com [19]

Mississippi Palisades State Park This multiuse park caters to picnickers, campers and extreme hikers. See reviews and ratings. [20] (815) 273-2731; dnr.illinois.gov [21]

Old Market House The historic former city market showcases changing local-history exhibits. Donations suggested. (815) 777-3310; illinoishistory.gov [22]

Rocky Waters Vineyard South of Galena in Hanover, the winery’s labels include Wild Turkey Blush and Tower Red. Check out the deck view. See reviews and ratings. [23] (815) 591-9706; rockywaters.net [24]

Ulysses S. Grant Home If you are a fan of presidential history, make time for a short visit to the home presented to Ulysses S. Grant upon his return to Galena as a Civil War hero. See reviews and ratings. [25] (815) 777-3310; granthome.com [26]

Washburne House Learn about Elihu Washburne, a congressman and political adviser to Lincoln, at this historic home. Seasonal. (815) 777-3310; illinoishistory.gov [27]

Wooded Wonderland Country Store and Sawmill Pick your own blueberries, and browse handmade furniture and antiques at this organic farm. See reviews and ratings. [28] (815) 777-1223; woodedwonderland.com [29]

Click ahead for where to eat and where to stay.

Where to eat

American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor Keep an eye out for the black-and-white awning to find the old-fashioned specialty dessert shop. (815) 777-3121

Fried Green Tomatoes Choose from Italian classics, such as gnocci, lasagna and osso buco. And don’t overlook the namesake appetizer. See reviews and ratings. [30] (815) 777-3938; friedgreen.com [31]

Fritz and Frites A quaint European cafe serves a full menu of both French favorites and traditional German dishes. See reviews and ratings. [32] (815) 777-2004; fritzandfrites.com [33]

Galena Kandy Kitchen Find wood barrels filled with saltwater taffy and handmade chocolates at this legacy candy shop. (815) 777-0241; oneelevenmain.com/kandy-kitchen.asp [34]

The Great American Popcorn Company Flavors include Freakin’ Hot, Louisiana BBQ, Kitchen Sink and Cinnamon Toast. See reviews and ratings. [35] (877) 777-5676; greatpopcorn.com [36]

One Eleven Main Local and seasonal ingredients take the spotlight at this smart dinner spot. Cuisine is hearty and high-end, running from burgers to glazed duck breast. Start with beer-chedar fondue. See reviews and ratings. [37] (815) 777-8030; oneelevenmain.com [38]

Otto’s Place Cafe and Lounge Stop in for an old-fashioned breakfast or lunch. Banana bread French toast and veggie-goat cheese fritattas are worth waking up for. See reviews and ratings. [39] (815) 776-0240; ottosplace.com [40]

Perry Street Brasserie A European master chef uses organic products in a menu that changes monthly. (815) 777-3773; perrystreetbrasserie.com [41]

Vinny Vanucchi’s Little Italy The inspiration for the Italian menu came from co-owner Deb Coulter’s grandmother, who always seemed to have a pot of sauce on the stove and basil in the house. See reviews and ratings. [42] (815) 777-8100; vinnysgalena.com [43]

Where to stay

Chestnut Mountain Resort Warm-weather activities include an alpine slide (a sled that goes down 2,050 feet of track) and river cruises. From $79. See reviews and ratings. [44] (815) 777-1320; chestnutmtn.com [19]

The Cottage on Lake Galena This lakeside log cottage feels cozy yet spacious and comes with gas fireplaces, a kitchen and laundry facilities. Bring groceries. From $290, cash or check only. See reviews and ratings. [45] (608) 723-7099; scenichideaways.com [46]

Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa This sprawling, luxury resort on 6,800 acres has a wide range of lodgings (from single inn rooms to six-bedroom homes) and activities, including 63 holes of golf, an arcade and hot-air balloon rides. From $129. See reviews and ratings. [47] (800) 892-2269; eagleridge.com [48]

Goldmoor Inn Luxury suites and cottages overlook the Mississippi. A turret suite sets the perfect mood for a romantic getaway. From $275. See reviews and ratings. [49] (800) 255-3925; goldmoor.com [50]

The Inn at Irish Hollow Nine miles from Galena, this 500-acre property offers opulent cabins and three guest rooms in an old general store. From $185 for a room, from $295 for a cottage. See reviews and ratings. [51] (815) 777-6000; irishhollow.com [52]

The Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel A classic Irish-style pub stars. Spacious rooms and an on-site spa add to the experience. From $109. See reviews and ratings. [53] (866) 284-7474; theirishcottageboutiquehotel.com [54]

For information: Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau (877) 464-2536; galena.org [55]

Prices, dates, and other details are subject to change, so please check specifics before making travel plans.

Tags: 
Galena [56]
Illinois [57]
Travel [58]
Illinois Trip Guides [59]
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Source URL (retrieved on May 20, 2013): http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/galena-trip-guide/

Links:
[1] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/a-bushel-and-a-peck/
[2] http://ajscoppergarden.com
[3] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/beyond-the-horizon/
[4] http://shopbeyondthehorizon.com
[5] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/casper-bluff-tours/
[6] http://jdcf.org
[7] http://feverriveroutfitters.com
[8] http://galenahistorymuseum.org
[9] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/galena-cellars-vineyard-tour/
[10] http://galenacellars.com
[11] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/galena-garlic-company/
[12] http://galenagarlic.com
[13] http://galenawinecheese.com
[14] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/galena-trolley-depot/
[15] http://galenatrolleys.com
[16] http://jamieswinestudio.com
[17] http://massbachridge.com
[18] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/mississippi-explorer-cruises/
[19] http://chestnutmtn.com
[20] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/mississippi-palisades-state-park/
[21] http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/palisade.htm
[22] http://illinoishistory.gov/hs/old_market.htm
[23] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/rocky-waters-vineyard/
[24] http://rockywaters.net
[25] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/ulysses-s-grant-home/
[26] http://granthome.com
[27] http://illinoishistory.gov/hs/washburne_house.htm
[28] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/wooded-wonderland-country-store-sawmill/
[29] http://woodedwonderland.com
[30] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/restaurants/fried-green-tomatoes/
[31] http://friedgreen.com
[32] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/restaurants/fritz-and-frites/
[33] http://fritzandfrites.com
[34] http://oneelevenmain.com/kandy-kitchen.asp
[35] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/great-american-popcorn-company/
[36] http://greatpopcorn.com
[37] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/restaurants/one-eleven-main/
[38] http://oneelevenmain.com
[39] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/restaurants/ottos-place/
[40] http://ottosplace.com
[41] http://perrystreetbrasserie.com
[42] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/restaurants/vinny-vanucchis-little-italy/
[43] http://vinnysgalena.com
[44] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/chestnut-mountain-resort/
[45] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/the-cottage-on-lake-galena/
[46] http://scenichideaways.com
[47] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/eagle-ridge-resort-and-spa/
[48] http://eagleridge.com
[49] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/goldmoor-inn/
[50] http://goldmoor.com
[51] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/inn-at-irish-hollow/
[52] http://irishhollow.com
[53] http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/illinois/galena/hotels/the-irish-cottage-boutique-hotel/
[54] http://theirishcottageboutiquehotel.com
[55] http://galena.org
[56] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/galena
[57] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/illinois
[58] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/travel
[59] http://www.midwestliving.com/tags/illinois-trip-guides